4.3GL High Oil Pressure

[IBB]

Hello,

New ( used ) boat owner with a 2003 Penta 4.3GL-C. I am curious what other people are seeing for oil pressure. Mine seems high ( not ridiculously high, just borderline ). I installed a mechanical gauge to double check - mechanical matched up with the electrical.

I am seeing:
~ 53 PSI @ cold neutral idle
~ 64 PSI @ around 3000 RPM
~ 47 PSI @ neutral idle after run at 3000 RPM for 5-10 mins.

Since the gauge was not malfunctioning, I'm going to do an oil/filter change next and hope there was a blockage in the filter.

Engine has 48 hours on it.

Thanks for any data points,
IBB

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: 4.3GL High Oil Pressure

Looks pretty normal for a 4.3 to me.
I've heard of some that run 80 when cold.

 

[Lou C]

Re: 4.3GL High Oil Pressure

I don't think those readings are out of line...mine will have a cold idle of about 40 psi...hot idle about 20 and at about 3000 running about 55-60 or so...and this is a 22 year old engine who knows how many hrs....
I'd say you're in good shape....

and when you say idle...some of em depending on the gauge...it can be much higher at let's say 900 rpm than at 600...like the difference between 20 and 35-40...

 

[IBB]

Re: 4.3GL High Oil Pressure

Thanks for the responses. Sounds like I may just be one of those nervous new boat owners.

Roger that re: specifying idle rpm. Mine sits at around 750-800 RPM.

BTW - at what (high) oil pressure should I start to worry w/ the 4.3? 80 would have made me much more nervous.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: 4.3GL High Oil Pressure

Most GM engines have a rule of thumb of 10 PSI MINIMUM per 1000 RPM. Therefore idle can be as low as 10 PSI and still be normal. 5000 rpm will be about 50 PSI. Your engine is perfectly normal. Worry about too little oil pressure rather than too much. My truck has 110,000 on it and runs 60 PSI at anything above 1000 RPM.

 

[fishinpa]

Re: 4.3GL High Oil Pressure

Does sound pretty average give or take how much wear and time is on an engine all can differ .

It is better to be looking at the gauges occasionally and questioning it than doing as most and never looking till it is too late then cryin about it ! lol


fish